Blog of my Ideas

On my very first day of substitute teaching about four years ago, I walked into what was once my middle school. I had gone to this very same school many years before for fifth and sixth grade and some of my former teachers were still teaching there. The job I had picked up was a seventh and eighth grade core class. I had no idea what that meant! As it turned out, I had one group of students for two periods, back to back. One class was Language Arts and the other Social Studies. For me this was the beginning of a very interesting journey as a Substitute Teacher.

What they don't usually tell you, going into this field is that students will challenge you to the best of their ability. Especially when you are a new teacher. They can smell it. The scent of someone who has little to no experience stepping in and taking over someone else's class. Students in that situation like to switch seats, or names, or try to get away with things their teacher would never allow. My words of wisdom: when in doubt, say no! Or if the teacher has left you the name and extension of a fellow teacher to reference... call them! These people, more often than not, are more than happy to help you.

Sometimes, those of us who have been in the game for a while will have helpful tips to pass on and that's my goal here today. All questions and comments are welcome.

The most common thing I come across when talking to new subs is the question, "What do I do when we finish something early and there's nothing else to do?" The answer is simple:

Heads up 7 up
Let them chat amongst themselves
If you were reading a text book: do the questions at the end of the section on a piece of binder paper
Do a quick write about the subject (e.g. The War of 1812, Pronouns vs. Proper Nouns, The Mona Lisa)
Take them outside to Play

There's also the universal "Read a book." This means that you can a) read a story aloud to the class, this is best for little ones. Or b) they can take out an AR (Accelerated Reader) book and read it. As a rule of thumb, I never let kids draw in class, because I've had less than ideal drawings show up. Sometimes students don't think about what is appropriate for school and draw things that can be categorized as violent or questionable. Believe me, this has happened to me.

In my line of work there are two sure things, besides death and taxes, that is that 1) I learn something new everyday and 2) I have to be ready for anything including but not limited to the apocalypse and the coming of giant mutant gummy bears.

Learn Something New Everyday

My students, as varied as they are, manage to teach me something new everyday. From material such as how to solve an equation in math to something as mainstream as what the current slang terms mean. My words of wisdom: if you can't remember how to do something, or you haven't learned it, tell your students you haven't seen it in years and can't remember it. Then find the student who knows what they're doing and get them to show you. This is usually something I have to do with math. I find that kids are really cool about it, and they jump at the chance to help me out.

Be Ready For Anything

And boy do I mean anything! I've been called names, I've had intruder drills, I've had kids go to the bathroom and be gone so long I called the office. In PE one student broke an arm once. I've taken away phones, erasers, toys and tests. I witnessed a student cuss another student out in the middle of a classroom. I've had bleeders both nose and paper cut. I've had vomit and spilled food/drink. Surprise visits from parents or administrators as well. Just remember to smile, stay calm, and call the office for help. My words of wisdom: make friends with the secretaries! They can save your life and your behind!

Something I've learned over the years is that every teacher uses a different set of attention getters with their students. Some teachers can ring a bell, some can say in the smallest voice "shhh," others use the "teacher clap," and some will use phrases such as 'give me five." Here are some of my favorites:

If you can hear me clap once. If you can hear me clap twice. If you can hear me clap three times. This is a classic and as soon as one kid claps, the rest will soon fall in line. You cannot go wrong with this. It works every time.
(In a whisper voice) If you can hear me, put your finger on your nose. (In an even smaller whisper voice) If you can hear me put your hands on your head. I usually get quieter and say a couple more things such as "find your elbows," or "touch your knees."
My personal favorite is this: I stand in front of my kids and put my finger on my nose. I do not say a word. I make eye contact with a few kids until they put their finger on their nose too. Then I move my hands to my head and they mimic me. I continue to move my hands to different places until they are all quiet and participating. I have used this with all grade levels and just the other day I used it in the multipurpose room with 120 fifth graders.
I will use the ring the bell system, but my rule is that when they hear the bell, their mouth closes, their eyes are on me and their hands immediately go on top of their head. This is to keep them from continuing to do whatever they were doing with their hands that will distract them from paying attention to your directions.
I have also been known to use TAG. It is loud and has multiple options for getting students attention.

Let's talk bathroom policies! This is one of the areas of teaching that plagued me all through the credential program and I'll tell you why; when you've gotta go, you've gotta go! The thing about students is... they don't always have to go. In fact most of the time, they're just bored. So here are My words of wisdom: if they look like they're going to cry or explode, they can go. If they have a bathroom pass, they can go. If they have finished all their work, they can go. When can't they go?

during instruction (unless it's an emergency)
when they're falling asleep in class or if they look bored
during a test
right before or after lunch, recess, or passing period.
within 15 minutes of school starting
within 15 minutes before the end of school

As far as bathroom passes goes, if it is during a time where a break is coming, or the end of the day is near, I will always ask my student if they are sure they want to waste a pass. My script is this: "Are you sure you want to use that, class is over in _____ minutes?" Nine times out of ten, I find that the student suddenly doesn't have to go.

So Let's talk motivators! A lot of my common motivators are the same as what I do when all my students are done and I have nothing else for them to do. At the end of class, we will play a game, go outside, or have time to chat. Sometimes I use motivators on an individual basis, to help students pay attention and work hard, or be quiet and listen. These motivators are usually material items such as:

Candy
Erasers
Stickers
Pencils
Tickets
School wide rewards
Teacher's rewards (homework pass,etc)

My words of wisdom:DO not give kids candy unless the teacher leaves it for you/has it in their room for students OR you are a long term sub, who knows your kids. You never know who has an allergy, whose parents don't want them to have it, or who has medical reasons for not being able to have it. The thing about kids is even when they aren't supposed to have candy, they usually still want it and take it. The last thing anyone needs is to upset a parent over something like candy. Also a lot of times, the school will tell you as a sub not to feed the kids.

Sometimes when I walk into a classroom with students that don't know me, there will often be a student or even students who are uncooperative or ill-behaved. I've seen it all, from the tantrum thrower, to the cryer, to the arguer and the outright defiant. I have some tactics for this!

I always tell students that if they cannot behave, they cannot stay in my classroom
I will send a student to the office or another teacher
I will make students write a paragraph or an essay (depending on age) explaining how they should act when there's a sub.
I will write bench slips
I will take time out of their recess or lunch

My words of wisdom: Do not hesitate to call the office and ask for assistance with a student.

I've often said that substitute teaching is 90% stand up comedy. In this line of work, you have to have a sense of humor. I find that if I walk into a classroom where the students don't know me at all, they are more likely to respond to me if I use humor, than if I am boring or yelling. I am a very sarcastic person by nature, and I find that older kids respond really well to that type of humor as well. My words of wisdom: be funny! Use humor, make funny faces at kids, poke a little fun at them (don't try to make them cry though). Kids love it when you're funny.

Ms. C's Useful Things

My Advice To You

What to Expect:

What Do I DO!?

Brain Breaks:

Ready for Anything!

Attention Getters

But I Really Have to Go!

Motivate Me, I Wanna Get Myself Out Of This Place

Attitude!

Welcome To Comedy Hour With Your Host, Ms. C